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LSGH Batch ‘85 Proclaims

“Ginto Na Ang Berde”

by Mike Antigua ‘85

“G

into Na Ang Berde: 50 years of LSGH Excellence” is the title and the theme for the LSGH Grand Alumni Homecoming, to be held on February 6, 2010.

    Hosted by LSGH Batch ’85, this year’s Silver Jubilarians, the theme also celebrates La Salle Green Hills’ 50 years of excellence and zeal, making the occasion doubly significant for the batch as well as the faculty and the rest of the LSGH community. With the help and support of co-host batches 1970, 1975, 1980, 1990, 1995, 2000, and 2005, “Ginto Na Ang Berde” is destined to be a truly memorable homecoming. Class 1970 will also mark their Ruby (40th) Anniversary. They are the second batch to graduate from LSGH.

    Likeprevious homecomings, “Ginto Na Ang Berde” promises to deliver what all LSGH alumni truly deserve: a meaningful evening and a warm sense of brotherhood for all attendees.

In line with this, Batch 85, also known as the Berde Brothers, collectively decided that it would be appropriate to mark LSGH’s 50th anniversary by going back to the ideals of Religio, Mores & Cultura:

    “The three-fold ideal of Religio, Mores, and Cultura. Descriptive of the Lasallian spirit and tradition. Religio refers to the spiritually alive person; Mores, to the person who acts with justice and integrity in dealing with his neighbor; and Cultura, to the person who knows how to appreciate what man’s creative spirit has fashioned through the ages.”

    After all the challenges and difficulties the country experienced in 2009 -- most especially the global economic crisis that became prevalent at the beginning of the year, to the onslaught of Typhoons Ondoy and Parma in the latter part -- there was an atmosphere of uncertainty, apprehension and anxiety all over the Philippines.

    As responsible citizens and Christian gentlemen, the Berde Brothers thought that it may not be apt to celebrate the homecoming in the usual en grande way. Thus there was a suggestion among Batch 85 to “simplify” this year’s home- coming and to make it more attuned to the times.

    It wasn’t difficult to understand what needed to be done: to go back to basics and celebrate a meaningful homecoming sans the fanfare, the theatrics, the fireworks, the big show and the lavish buffet spread. The batch also believed that the La Salle Brothers would agree to this.

    The batch realized that it was more important to leave a lasting legacy to the school that molded them into who they were now. Each Berde Brother wanted to come back to LSGH after 25 years with something more significant than a wild party but something of value that the school community can benefit from for a long time.

    So it was with this in mind, and in keeping with the LSGH Mission Statement of being Christian gentlemen and contributing to national development, that the Berde Brothers committed to raise funds for the ONE LA SALLE FUND first and foremost, and whatever funds are left over will be used for the homecoming celebration.

    The Berde Brothers by then were already knee-deep in preparation for their Silver Jubilee, kicked off by the 1st Berde Brothers Golf Classic held on March 8, 2008, in Wack Wack Golf Club. That same year, the fundraising drive continued with events such as selling block tickets to the 20th Anniversary Concert of fellow Berde Brother Ogie Alcasid in September and the Berde Brothers Celebrity Poker Tournament in December.

   

    When 2009 rolled around, Batch 85 knew that the countdown to their Silver Jubilee had begun, especially after Batch 84 turned over the Jubilee Cup to them during that year’s home- coming celebrations. Now that the main event was but less than a year away, the Berde Brothers buckled in and called other batchmates who had been inactive in the past but were ready to help out as needed. The drive to raise P1-million for the One

La Salle Fund clearly became a reachable goal.

    In April, the batch staged the 2nd Berde Brothers Golf Classic at the Sta. Elena Golf & Country Club. It was well-attended by alumni of various batches and their friends, capped by a sumptuous lunch spread and awarding ceremony, and the all-important raffle portion with prizes donated by sponsors.

    The batch then put all its efforts into supporting the Berde Brothers Three Tenors Concert in May, held at the Bro. Donato Center for the Performing Arts in LSGH. The concert showcased the talents of three batchmates: Ogie Alcasid, Ran- nie Raymundo and Dingdong Avanzado. The trio also lent their collective talents to come up with the batch song titled “Sama-Sama” that talks of the yearning to see each other again after long years of separation after high school.

    In July, the Berde Brothers held a spe- cial screening of “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” in Greenbelt 3, with all ticket sales going straight to the pot being collected for the One La Salle Fund. To add to the growing pot, a smaller group of batchmates joined the “Hole In The Wall” gameshow on GMA-7. They earned a size- able sum from that hilarious gameshow, but they said it was all worth it.

    When September came along, it brought with it some trials in the form of Typhoon Ondoy.  Millions of Filipinos ended up homeless, un- clothed and hungry. A lot of Filipinos perished in the worst flooding the Philippines has seen in the last 20 years. Some batchmates and fellow La Sallians also experienced the tragedy firsthand, with their homes inundated with water, and their mate- rial possessions submerged in mud.

    One batchmate sent out a message in the LSGH85 yahoogroups message board that said: “In the aftermath of Typhoon Ondoy, we take this moment to count our blessings. While some of us have suffered loss or damage to property, we are (I hope) all safe, with a roof over our heads, food on the table and clothes on our backs.  We do know that many of our countrymen are not as fortunate. They need help, help that we, as a batch, can give.”

    So on the 10th of October, the batch joined the Ondoy Relief Operations mobilized by LSGH. A group of Berde Brothers packed rice, noodles, canned goods and laundry bars into 300 sacks for distribution. Other batchmates lent their big trucks to help haul the sacks to the affected area in Bingangonan, Rizal.

    The day after doing their share for the relief operations, the batch held the 1st Animo Stakes Race & Celebrity Poker Tournament at the San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona. Produced in partnership with the Manila Jockey Club, this activity was a clear demonstration of the resource- fulness of the batch, creating unique avenues from where to draw funds from. A portion of the proceeds from this activity was earmarked for the re- lief operations for the Typhoon Ondoy victims.

    That same month, the Berde Brothers were tasked to host the LSGH Big Brother Career Guidance Seminars and several batchmates took time out from their busy schedules to pitch in and act as resource speakers to the 3rd and 4th year High School students.

    The Berde Brothers rounded off 2009 with two major activities: the 3rd Berde Broth- ers Golf Classic, again held in Sta. Elena Golf & Country Club in late November, and the batch Christmas party in December. With just a few more weeks leading to the homecoming, the batch saw a resurgence of support from fellow Berde Brothers. Fellow batchmates based in the U.S. also did their share in raising funds, mostly from their hard- earned money, to contribute to the total.

    Along with these activities, the batch also came out with commemorative license plates with the markings “LSGH50” in celebration of the Gold- en Jubilee year. These plates were sold for P2,000 each. The US-based batchmates in Southern California also had their own commemorative license plate frame project designed with the words “Berde Brothers” in green on top, and the words “ANIMO LA SALLE” (also in green) at the bottom, flanked by two Archer icons the school is known for.

    Now at the homestretch, the Berde Brothers held their last major activity before homecoming day: the 2nd Animo Stakes Race & Celebrity Poker Tournament, on January 17, at the San Lazaro Leisure Park.

As these projects and activities were be- ing organized, prepared and executed, the sense of brotherhood among the Berde Brothers became stronger. There were hardships and daunting challenges along the way, but the batch persevered and continued working doubly hard to achieve their goal. The focus was there and meeting thecommitment they gave to the One La Salle Fund was non-negotiable. “Never Shall We Fail” became the battlecry.

    This rabid determination to succeed, despite the odds, molded the characters of each member of Batch 85 again, showing that even after 25 years, they still continue to learn and grow as capable individuals.

With February 6 fast approaching, it looks like Batch 85 will deliver as promised. After achieving the first priority, the stage is now set to take care of what needs to be done: The Homecoming.

    As mentioned, the batch decided early on to scale down the celebrations. Nevertheless, there will be adequate food and refreshments, they promised. There will be enough provisions for all attendees, and everyone will be treated to a deeply moving program that will rekindle everyone’s passion and motivation in true La Sallian spirit.

In the end, all LSGH alumni are Berde Brothers, and we join hands on homecoming night to continue spreading the bond shared by all Lasallians: One mission of excellence for the next 50 years and beyond!

“Ginto Na Ang Berde: 50 Years of LSGH Excellence” – aside from celebrating Batch 85’s Silver Jubillee -- marks the culmination of La Salle Green Hills’ yearlong celebration of its 50th year of zeal and excellence. Major sponsors are Globe, San Miguel Beer, Nescafe Body Partner, Nestea and The Philippine Star, in support of the various fund-raising projects of LSGH Batch 85, for the benefit of Berde Brothers Corporation.